3:48 AM,
Mar. 11, 2013

New Mexico's Hugh Greenwood, right, looks to pass while covered by Air Force's Michael Lyons during Saturday's game in Air Force Academy, Colo.

Written by

Eric Prisbell
USA Today

Any college basketball fan worth his bracket understands that the Big Ten is the nation's strongest conference this season. Minnesota coach Tubby Smith called it the strongest league he has ever been a part of.

But the Ratings Percentage Index says otherwise. The combination of shrewd scheduling and formidable teams has lifted the Mountain West Conference to first place nationally among all conferences in the RPI. The league likely will send five schools - New Mexico, Colorado State, UNLV, Boise State and San Diego State - to the NCAA Tournament the same season a power conference such as the ...